Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and image processing method

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a first communication circuit that communicates with a memory that stores address information of an image processing apparatus, circuitry that reads the address information of the image processing apparatus from the memory, and a second communication circuit that exchanges data with the image processing apparatus identified with the address information read from the memory through a communication network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Applications No. 2015-140276, filed onJul. 14, 2015 and No. 2016-115652, filed on Jun. 9, 2016 in the JapanPatent Office, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, aninformation processing system, and an information processing method.

Background Art

The recent systems provide multiple information processing apparatuses,which are connected with each other via networks such as cloud networks,to share images displayed on a large screen display. For example, atconferences in corporations, educational institutions, and governmentinstitutions etc., electronic whiteboards may be used, which allow usersto draw stroke images such as texts, numbers, and figures etc. onbackground images. A technology that connects the electronic whiteboardsto on-premise private cloud services that are owned by the corporationsetc. and operated using the corporations' facility, and displays filesexchanged with terminals on the electronic whiteboards is known.

In the information sharing system including the electronic whiteboard, adisplay sharing apparatus with a display capability and a communicationcapability, and a terminal device with an image capture capability and acommunication capability are provided. The system further includes aconnection apparatus having a communication capability to communicatewith the display sharing apparatus and the terminal device, anauthentication capability, a configuration capability, and a controlcapability.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the present invention provide a novel informationprocessing apparatus that includes a first communication circuit thatcommunicates with a memory that stores address information of an imageprocessing apparatus, circuitry that reads the address information ofthe image processing apparatus from the memory, and a secondcommunication circuit that exchanges data with the image processingapparatus identified with the address information read from the memorythrough a communication network.

Further embodiments of the present invention provide an informationprocessing system, and an information processing method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understoodfrom the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of aninformation processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of anelectronic whiteboard included in the information processing system asan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the electronicwhiteboard included in the information processing system as anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of aninformation processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a mobile deviceand the electronic whiteboard included in the information processingsystem as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of themobile device included in the information processing system as anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a RadioFrequency Identifier (RFID) (Near Field Communication (NFC)) included inthe information processing system as an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating operation of controlling communicationusing the NFC included in the information processing system as anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the informationprocessing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the informationprocessing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments ofthe present invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scopethereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn toscale unless explicitly noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings,specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, thedisclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited tothe specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood thateach specific element includes all technical equivalents that have thesame function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similarresult.

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail withreference to figures. In figures, same symbols are assigned to same orcorresponding parts, and their descriptions are simplified or omittedappropriately.

In the embodiments described below, an information processing apparatusthat can easily perform preparation before the user starts to exchangefiles with the electronic whiteboard is provided. In the embodimentsdescribed below, the NFC is taken as an example as a short-distancewireless communication technology. However, the present invention can beapplied to a general short-distance wireless communication technologyso-called RFID.

In this embodiment, in order to exchange predetermined data between themobile device as an another apparatus and the electronic whiteboard, apredetermined application program to operate an information processingapparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) using the mobiledevice is used. Subsequently, address information such as an IP addressof the electronic whiteboard that exchanges a predetermined data filewith the mobile device is written in a NFC tag preliminarily.Furthermore, after launching the application program described above,the tag information of NFC is read using the mobile device.

Through the above-described operation, the user at the mobile device isregistered to the electronic whiteboard. Furthermore, if security isconfigured in exchanging predetermined data between the mobile deviceand the electronic whiteboard, a pass code (authentication code) isdisplayed on the electronic whiteboard by accessing the electronicwhiteboard using the mobile device. By inputting the pass code in themobile device, it is possible to display the predetermined datatransferred by the mobile device on the electronic whiteboard anddisplay a file displayed on the electronic whiteboard on the mobiledevice by receiving the file.

That is, by reading the tag information of NFC that the addressinformation of the electronic whiteboard is written, using the mobiledevice installed with the predetermined application program foroperating the information processing apparatus, it is possible to omitpreparation such as user registration or scan of the authentication codeetc. The embodiments of the present invention are described below indetail with reference to figures.

First, an entire configuration of an information processing system as anembodiment is described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating anentire configuration of an information processing system of thisembodiment. In FIG. 1, only two electronic whiteboards 2 a and 2 b andtwo electronic styluses 4 a and 4 b etc. are illustrated to simply thedescription. However, it is possible to use three or more electronicwhiteboards and electronic styluses etc. The electronic whiteboards 2 aand 2 b are examples of the image processing apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes multipleelectronic whiteboards 2 a and 2 b, multiple electronic styluses 4 a and4 b, Universal Serial Bus (USB) memories 5 a and 5 b, notebook personalcomputers (PCs) 6 a and 6 b, videoconference terminals 7 a and 7 b, anda PC 8. The electronic whiteboards 2 a and 2 b and the PC 8 areconnected to be communicable with each other via a communication network9. Furthermore, the multiple electronic whiteboards 2 a and 2 brespectively include displays 3 a and 3 b. It should be noted that thePC 8 is a PC for sharing a screen in the image processing system 1 andfunctions as a monitor to be browsed.

In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 a can display an image drawn byan event generated by the electronic stylus 4 a (e.g., the pen tip orthe bottom of the electronic stylus 4 a touches the display 3 a) on thedisplay 3 a. It should be noted that it is also possible to modify theimage displayed on the display 3 a based on an event generated by a userhand Ha etc. (e.g., gestures that scales and flips a page etc.). Theelectronic styluses 4 a and 4 b and hands Ha and Hb are examples ofpointing devices.

In addition, the USB memory 5 a is connected to the electronicwhiteboard 2 a detachably. The electronic whiteboard 2 a can readelectronic files such as Portable Document Format (PDF) etc. from theUSB memory 5 a and store the electronic files in the USB memory 5 a. Inaddition, the notebook PC 6 a is connected to the electronic whiteboard2 a via the cable 10 a 1. The cable 10 a 1 is communicable usingcommunication in compliance with the Specification such as DisplayPortand Digital Visual Interface (DVI) etc. In addition, the cable 10 a 1 iscommunicable using communication in compliance with the Specificationsuch as High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and Video GraphicsArray (VGA) etc.

On the electronic whiteboard 2 a, an event is generated by touching thedisplay 3 a, and event information indicating the event is transferredto the notebook PC 6 a just like an event of input devices such as amouse and a keyboard etc. On the other hand, the videoconferenceterminal 7 a is connected to the electronic whiteboard 2 a via the cable10 a 2 to be communicable using the specifications described above. Itshould be noted that it is also possible that the notebook PC 6 a andthe videoconference terminal 7 a communicate with the electronicwhiteboard 2 a using wireless communication compatible with variouswireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth etc.

On the other hand, at another site where the electronic whiteboard 2 bis located, just like the case described above, the electronicwhiteboard 2 b including the display 3 b, the electronic stylus 4 b, theUSB memory 5 b, the notebook PC 6 b, the videoconference terminal 7 b,and the cables 10 b 1 and 10 b 2 are used. Furthermore, it is possibleto modify an image displayed on the display 3 b based on an eventgenerated by the user hand Hb etc.

As a result, the image drawn on the display 3 a of the electronicwhiteboard 2 a at one site is also displayed on the display 3 b of theelectronic whiteboard 2 b at the other site. By contrast, the imagedrawn on the display 3 b of the electronic whiteboard 2 b at the othersite is also displayed on the display 3 a of the electronic whiteboard 2a at one site. As described above, in the image processing system 1,since it is possible to share the same image between remote sites, it isconvenient to use the image processing system 1 for the remotevideoconference etc.

In the below description, any one electronic whiteboard among multipleelectronic whiteboards is referred to as the electronic whiteboard 2.Likewise, any one display among multiple displays is referred to as thedisplay 3. Any one electronic stylus among multiple electronic stylusesis referred to as the electronic stylus 4.

Any one USB memory among multiple USB memories is referred to as the USBmemory 5. Any one notebook PC among multiple notebook PCs is referred toas the notebook PC 6. Any one videoconference terminal among multiplevideoconference terminal is referred to as the videoconference terminal7. Furthermore, any one hand among multiple user hands is referred to asthe hand H. Any one cable among multiple cables is referred to as thecable 10.

In this embodiment, the electronic whiteboard 2 is described as anexample of the image processing apparatus 2. However, the imageprocessing apparatus is not limited to the electronic whiteboard 2.Other examples of the image processing apparatus are an electronicbillboard (digital signage), a telestrator used in sports programs andweather reports etc., and telemedicine terminals etc.

In addition, the notebook PC 6 is described as an example of theinformation processing terminal in this embodiment. However, theinformation processing terminal is not limited to the notebook PC 6.Other examples of the information processing terminals are terminalsthat can provide image frames such as a desktop PC, a tablet PC, asmartphone, a personal data assistance (PDA), a digital video camera, adigital camera, and a video-game console etc.

Furthermore, the Internet, Local Area Network (LAN), and cell phonecommunication network etc. are examples of the communication network 9.In this embodiment, the USB memory 5 is described as an example of therecording medium. However, the recording medium is not limited to theUSB memory 5. Other examples of the recording medium are variousrecording media such as a Secure Digital (SD) card etc.

Next, a hardware configuration of an electronic whiteboard included inthe information processing system according to this embodiment isdescribed below. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardwareconfiguration of an electronic whiteboard included in the informationprocessing system in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 101 that controls the entire electronic whiteboard2. In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a read only memory(ROM) 102 that stores a program used for driving the CPU 101 such as aninitial program loader (IPL) etc. Furthermore, the electronic whiteboard2 includes a random access memory (RAM) 103 used as an work area for theCPU 101 and a solid state drive (SSD) 204 that stores various data suchas a program for the electronic whiteboard 2 etc. In addition, theelectronic whiteboard 2 includes a network controller 105 that controlscommunication with the communication network 9 and an external storagecontroller 106 that controls communication with the USB memory 5.

In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a capturing device 111that captures a still image or video displayed on the display of thenotebook PC 6 and a graphics processing unit (GPU) 112 dedicated tographics processing. Furthermore, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes adisplay controller 113 that controls displaying the screen to outputimages that the GPU 112 outputs to the display 3 and the videoconferenceterminal 7.

In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a touch sensor 115that detects that the electronic stylus 4 or the user hand H etc.touches the display 3 and a sensor controller 114 that controlsoperating the touch sensor 115. The touch sensor 115 inputs and detectscoordinates using an infrared interception method. In inputting anddetecting coordinates, first, two light receiving/illuminating deviceslocated at both ends of the upper side of the display 3 illuminatemultiple infrared beams in parallel with the display 3. Subsequently,the light that is reflected by the reflector located around the display3 and returns along with the same light path that the lightreceiving/illuminating device illuminates the light is received. In thiscase, the light receiving/illuminating devices are located at both endsof upper side of the display 3. However, it is also possible to locatethe light receiving/illuminating devices at four corners of the display3.

The touch sensor 115 outputs identification (ID) of the infraredilluminated by the two light receiving/illuminating devices andintercepted by an object (e.g., the electronic stylus 4 or the user handH etc.), and the sensor controller 114 specifies a coordinate positionwhere the object touches the display 3. In the description below, allIDs are examples of the identification information.

In addition, the touch sensor 115 is not limited to the infraredinterception method. For example, a touch panel using a capacitancemethod that specifies a touch position by detecting a change ofcapacitance and a touch panel using a resistance film method thatspecifies a touch position by detecting a change of voltage of twoopposing resistance films can be considered. In addition, variousdetecting methods such as a touch panel using anelectromagnetic-induction method that specifies a touch position bydetecting electromagnetic induction generated by touching the displayunit by the object etc. can be used.

In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes an electronic styluscontroller 116. The electronic stylus controller 116 communicates withthe electronic stylus 4 and determines whether or not the pen tip or thepen bottom touches the display 3. It is possible that the electronicstylus controller 116 determines whether only the pen tip or the penbottom but also a handgrip of the electronic stylus 4 or other parts ofthe electronic stylus touches the display 3 or not.

In the electronic whiteboard 2, a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, SSD 104,network controller 105, external storage controller 106, capturingdevice 111, GPU 112, sensor controller 114, and the electronicwhiteboard controller 116 are connected with each other electrically.Those components are connected with each other via a bus line 120 suchas a data bus etc. It is possible to store a program for the electronicwhiteboard 2 in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROMetc. and distribute the program.

Next, functional blocks of an electronic whiteboard included in theinformation processing system as a basis of this embodiment aredescribed below. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks ofthe electronic whiteboard included in the information processing systemas a basis of this embodiment.

In the electronic whiteboard 2, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3are implemented by using the hardware configuration and program shown inFIG. 2. The electronic whiteboard 2 can be a host apparatus that firstlystarts the remote sharing process and a client apparatus that laterparticipates in the remote sharing process that had already beenstarted. In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a client 20and a server 90 as main functions. That is, the client 20 and the server90 are included in the case of one electronic whiteboard 2.

The client 20 and the server 90 are implemented inside the case of oneelectronic whiteboard 2. If the electronic whiteboard 2 becomes the hostapparatus, the client 20 and the server 90 are implemented in theelectronic whiteboard 2. If the electronic whiteboard 2 becomes theclient apparatus, the client 20 is implemented in the electronicwhiteboard 2. However, the server 90 is not implemented in theelectronic whiteboard 2.

That is, in FIG. 1, if the electronic whiteboard 2 a becomes the hostapparatus and the electronic whiteboard 2 b becomes the clientapparatus, the client 20 in the electronic whiteboard 2 a communicateswith the client 20 in the electronic whiteboard 2 b via the server 90implemented in the electronic whiteboard 2 a. On the other hand, theclient 20 in the electronic whiteboard 2 b communicates with the client20 in the electronic whiteboard 2 a via the server 90 implemented in theelectronic whiteboard 2 a.

Next, a functional configuration of the client 20 is described below.The client 20 includes a video acquisition unit 21, a coordinatedetector 22, an automatic adjuster 23, a touch detector 24, an eventprocessor 25, an operation processor 26, a gesture processor 27, a videosynthesizer 28, an image processing 30, and a communication controller60.

Among these components, the video acquisition unit 21 acquires videooutput by video output apparatuses such as the notebook PC 6 etc.connected to the cable 10. The video acquisition unit 21 receives animage signal from the video output apparatus (e.g., the notebook PC 6etc.). Subsequently, the image signal is analyzed, and image informationsuch as a resolution of image frames as a display image of the videooutput apparatus formed by the image signal and/or an update frequencyof the image frames etc. are extracted and output to the imageacquisition unit 31.

The coordinate detector 22 detects a coordinate position of an event(e.g., an action that the user hand H touches the display 3 etc.) on thedisplay 3 generated by user operation. In addition, the coordinatedetector 22 detects an area touched by user operation.

The automatic adjuster 23 starts up when the electronic whiteboard 2starts up and adjusts parameters for processing an image by a sensorcamera using a light sensor method by the touch sensor 115 so that thetouch sensor 115 can output appropriate values to the coordinatedetector 22. The touch detector 24 detects an event (e.g., an actionthat the pen tip or the pen bottom of the electronic stylus 4 touchesthe display 3 etc.) generated by user operation.

The event processor 25 distributes the coordinate position of the eventdetected by the coordinate detector 22 and the detection result detectedby the touch sensor 24 to each of a stroke processor 32, the operationprocessor 26, and the gesture processor 27 (described later).

The operation processor 26 operates various operations depending onevents that the event processor 25 determines as UI operations inaccordance with an UI element that the event is generated. Regarding theevent that the event processor 25 determines as a gesture operation, thegesture processor 27 determines the content of the gesture using acoordinate history etc. and generates a gesture event. The gestureprocessor 27 executes an operation in accordance with the event that theevent processor 25 determines as the gesture operation.

The image processor 30 superimposes each image layer etc. The imageprocessor 30 includes an image acquisition unit 31, a stroke processor32, an UI image generator 33, a background generator 34, and a layoutmanager 35. In addition, the image processor 30 includes a displaysynthesizer 36, a page processor 37, a page data storage unit 38, a fileprocessor 39, and a remote license management table 40.

Among these components, the image acquisition unit 31 acquires eachframe as an image from the video acquired by the video acquisition unit21. The image corresponds to an image output by the video outputapparatus (the notebook PC 6 etc.). The stroke processor 32 draws animage, deletes the drawn image, and edits the drawn image based on theevent regarding the stroke drawing distributed by the event processor25. The image by the stroke drawing corresponds to a stroke image.

The UI image generator 33 generates an UI image preset to the electronicwhiteboard 2. The UI image corresponds to an UI image. The backgroundgenerator 34 receives media data from the page processor 37 among pagedata that the page processor 37 reads from the page data storage unit38. The background generator 34 outputs the received media data to thedisplay synthesizer 36. The image using the media data corresponds to abackground image. Patterns of the background image are solid and a gridpattern etc.

The layout manager 35 manages layout information indicating a layout ofeach image output by the image acquisition unit 31, the stroke processor32, the UI image generator 33, and the background generator 34 for thedisplay synthesizer 36. As a result, the layout manager 35 can commandthe display synthesizer 36 to display or not to display the output imageand the stroke image at which position in the UI image and thebackground image.

The display synthesizer 36 layouts each image output by the imageacquisition unit 31, the stroke processor 32, the UI image generator 33,and the background generator 34 based on the layout information outputby the layout manager 35.

The page processor 37 combines data of the stroke image and data of theoutput image into one page data and stores the page data in the pagedata storage unit 38. The data of the stroke image constructs a part ofthe page data as stroke layout data (each stroke data) indicated by astroke layout data ID. The data of the output image constructs a part ofthe page data as media data indicated by a media data ID. In addition,after being read from the page data storage unit 38, the media data isdealt with data of the background image.

In addition, the page processor 37 transfers the media data among thepage data stored temporarily to the display synthesizer 36 via thebackground generator 34 so that the video synthesizer 38 can display thebackground image on the display 3 again. In addition, the page processor37 returns the stroke layout data (each stroke data) among the page datato the stroke processor 32 so that the stroke can be reedited.Furthermore, the page processor 37 can delete and edit the page data.

That is, when the page processor 37 stores the page data in the pagedata storage unit 38, the data of the output image displayed on thedisplay 3 is stored in the page data storage unit 38 temporarily.Subsequently, in being read from the page data storage unit 38, the datais read as the media data that indicates the background image. Afterthat, the page processor 37 outputs the stroke layout data thatindicates the stroke image among the page data read from the page datastorage unit 38 to the stroke processor 32. In addition, the pageprocessor 37 outputs the media data that indicates the background imageamong the page data read from the page data storage unit 38 to thebackground generator 34.

The display synthesizer 36 superimposes the output image from the imageacquisition unit 31, the stroke image from the stroke processor 32, andthe UI image from the UI image generator 33 on the background image fromthe background generator 34 in accordance with the layout specified bythe layout manager 35.

The page data storage unit 38 stores the page data. The page data isdata (stroke layout data (each stroke data) and media data) (stroke dataand image data) for one page displayed on the display 3.

The remote license management table 40 manages license data required toexecute the remote sharing process. In the remote license managementtable 40, a product ID of the electronic whiteboard 2, a license ID forauthentication, and an expiration date of the license are managedassociated with each other.

Next, an entire configuration of the information processing system inthis embodiment is described below. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating anentire configuration of the information processing system in thisembodiment. Basically, while the entire configuration shown in FIG. 4 isalmost similar to the entire configuration shown in FIG. 1, thedifferent point is that a mobile device 50 connected to the LAN cancommunicate with the electronic whiteboard 2 via the communicationnetwork 9 in FIG. 4.

In addition, on the display 3, as described later, a pass code (anauthentication code) constructed by random numbers may be displayed ifsecurity is configured in exchanging files between the mobile device 50and the electronic whiteboard 2. That is, a difference code, which israndomly created, is set to the pass code (authentication code) everytime the application program of the electronic whiteboard 2 executes.

By using the mobile device 50, it is possible to transfer a file createdby the mobile device 50 to the electronic whiteboard 2 via thecommunication network 9. In addition, it is possible to receive a filedisplayed on the electronic whiteboard 2 by the mobile device 50 via thecommunication network 9. The hardware configuration of the electronicwhiteboard 2 is the same as the configuration described in FIG. 2, andthe detailed description is omitted.

Next, functional blocks of the mobile device and the electronicwhiteboard included in the information processing system in thisembodiment is described below. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustratingfunctional blocks of the mobile device and the electronic whiteboardincluded in the information processing system in this embodiment. Thefunctional blocks of the electronic whiteboard is basically similar tothe functional blocks of the electronic whiteboard described in FIG. 3.In this embodiment, a block that electronic whiteboard 2 exchangessignals with each block in the mobile device 50 to be communicable viathe communication network 9 is added to the client 20.

In the client 20, a communication controller 201, an image transceiver202, and an event receive 203 are added. In addition, the mobile device50 includes a communication controller 51, an image transceiver 52, andan event receiver 53. As described later, when the mobile device 50communicates with the electronic whiteboard 2 via the communicationnetwork, the communication controller 51 in the mobile device 50 and thecommunication controller 201 in the client 20 control the entirecommunication. After establishing the communication between the mobiledevice 50 and the electronic whiteboard 2, image data and image filesetc. are exchanged between the image transceiver 52 in the mobile device50 and the image transceiver 202 in the client 20. In addition, eventsgenerated by the mobile device 50 are received by the event receiver 53,and events generated by the electronic whiteboard 2 are received by theevent receiver 203.

Next, a hardware configuration of the mobile device that constructs theinformation processing system in this embodiment is described below.FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of themobile device included in the information processing system in thisembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile device 50 includes a CPU 501 as thehardware configuration that controls the entire mobile device 50. Inaddition, storage units such as a ROM 502 and a RAM 503 that storevarious data and various programs etc. are included. The CPU 501 loads acontrol program stored in the ROM 502 and expands various data acquiredthrough operations of the mobile device 50 into the RAM 503.Furthermore, a communication unit 504 that performs standard wirelesscommunication using an antenna and short-range wireless communicationsuch as NFC etc. (described later).

In addition, the mobile device 50 includes an operation unit 505constructed by a keyboard etc. that commands the mobile device 50 byuser operation and a display unit 506 constructed by a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) etc. Furthermore, an interface 507 constructed by amicrophone and a speaker etc. is included. It should be noted that it ispossible that the operational unit 505 is a software keys located on atouch panel display of the display unit 506. In addition, the CPU 501,the ROM 502, the RAM 503, the communication unit 504, the operation unit505, the display unit 506, and the interface 507 are connected with eachother via a bus 508.

Here, short-range wireless communication technology such as NFC usedwidely in mobile devices, office apparatuses, and public transportationinfrastructure recently is briefly described below. Generally speaking,the technology is called as RFID, and that is a technology that performsindividual authentication and individual recognition using radio waves.Among them, NFC is the technology that is considered to be mostfrequently used. This is a short-range wireless communication technologyusing a frequency band of 13.56 MHz, and the communication range isequal to or less than 10 cm.

Recently, NFC is implemented in mobile devices such as smartphones andtablet PCs etc. and is used for purposes such as payment and individualauthentication etc. In the NFC technology, there are readers and/orwriters that can read and/or write data actively and NFC tags thatstores written data and is scanned by the reader and/or writer only.

Next, a basis schematic configuration of the RFID (NFC) included in theinformation processing system in this embodiment is described below.FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a basis schematic configuration of theRFID(NFC) included in the information processing system in thisembodiment.

The mobile device 50 includes a near field communication unit 510 thatperforms the near field communication with the NFC tag via thecommunication unit 504 and a reader 511 that reads address information(e.g., IP address) of the electronic whiteboard 2 stored in a memory 605of a NFC tag 55 and stores the address information. Here, the near fieldcommunication unit 510 functions as a first communication unit (a firstcommunication circuit). In addition, a network communication unit 509that accesses the electronic whiteboard 2 using the address informationafter scanning the address information of the electronic whiteboard 2 isincluded. The network communication unit 509 functions as a secondcommunication unit (a second communication circuit).

The NFC tag 55 includes a Radio Frequency (RF) interface (I/F) 601, acontroller 602 that controls the entire NFC tag 55, and a communicationbuffer 604 that exchanges data with the mobile device 50. In addition,the NFC tag 55 includes a memory 605 that stores data and a security(SEC) 605 for keeping security such as data encryption etc.

The mobile device 50 and the NFC tag 55 communicate with each othergenerating electromotive force by electromagnetic induction using theantenna. The mobile device 50 always generates a magnetic field, theelectromagnetic induction occurs by getting closer to a passive tag ofthe NFC tag 55 to generate electromotive force in the NFC tag 55, andthe electric power drives the NFC tag 55 to transfer data if necessary.

Generally speaking, the NFC tag 55 stores authentication data (e.g.,IDs) required for communication and information that enablescommunication between devices (e.g., address and security data etc.). Inthis embodiment, in the memory 605 of the NFC tag 55, the addressinformation such as IP address of the electronic whiteboard 2 that themobile device is going to exchange a file is written as an example. Inaddition, the NFC tag 55 is located at a location where it is possibleto perform the near field communication with the mobile device 50.

Next, a communication method using the NFC included in the informationprocessing system in this embodiment is described below. FIG. 8 is adiagram illustrating a communication method using the NFC included inthe information processing system in this embodiment.

Basically, the mobile device 50 becomes a master apparatus and controlsall communication. The NFC tag 55 becomes a slave apparatus and respondsin accordance with accesses from the master apparatus. The NFC tag 55 iscalled as a passive tag. The NFC tag 55 only responds to requests fromthe master apparatus and never operates actively. The magnetic field isgenerated by the master apparatus.

Next, an operation of the information processing system in thisembodiment is described below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating anoperation of the information processing system in this embodiment thatthe mobile device transfers a file to the electronic whiteboard.

When the mobile device 50 transfers a file to the electronic whiteboard2, first, in the mobile device 50, an application program for operatingthe electronic whiteboard 2 is executed. Subsequently, in theapplication program, a mode that transfers a file to the electronicwhiteboard 2 is selected.

In S501, an image to be transferred from the mobile device 50 to theelectronic whiteboard 2 is selected. In S502, the mobile device 50 isset to a NFC tag scanning mode. In S503, by holding the antenna over theNFC tag 55, the mobile device 50 performs the near field communicationbetween the near field communication unit 510 and the NFC tag 55.Subsequently, the reader 511 reads the address information (e.g., IPaddress) of the electronic whiteboard 2 from the memory 605 of the NFCtag 55 and stores the address information.

In S504, the network communication unit 509 accesses the electronicwhiteboard 2 corresponding to the address scanned from the mobile device50 and determines whether or not the security is configured. If it isdetermined that the security is configured (YES in S504), the stepproceeds to S505. If it is determined that the security is notconfigured (NO in S504), the step proceeds to S506.

In S505, since the security is configured, it is required to input thepass code. Therefore, when the network communication unit 509 accessesthe electronic whiteboard 2, the pass code displayed on the display 3 ofthe electronic whiteboard 2 is input. In S506, the network communicationunit 509 reads a file of an image to be transferred selected in S501.Subsequently, in S507, network communication unit 509 transfers the fileread in S506 to the electronic whiteboard 2 via the communicationnetwork 9. After that, the electronic whiteboard 2 displays a content ofthe file on the display 3.

Next, another operation of the information processing system in thisembodiment is described below. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating anoperation of the information processing system in this embodiment thatthe mobile device receives a file from the electronic whiteboard.

When the mobile device 50 receives a file from the electronic whiteboard2, first, in the mobile device 50, an application program for operatingthe electronic whiteboard 2 is executed. Subsequently, in theapplication program, a mode that receives a file from the electronicwhiteboard 2 is selected.

In S601, the mobile device 50 is set to a NFC tag scanning mode. InS602, by holding the antenna over the NFC tag 55, the mobile device 50performs the near field communication between the near fieldcommunication unit 510 and the NFC tag 55. Subsequently, the reader 511reads the address information (e.g., IP address) of the electronicwhiteboard 2 from the memory 605 of the NFC tag 55 and stores theaddress information.

In S603, the network communication unit 509 accesses the electronicwhiteboard 2 corresponding to the address scanned from the mobile device50 and determines whether or not the security is configured. If it isdetermined that the security is configured (YES in S603), the stepproceeds to S604. If it is determined that the security is notconfigured (NO in S603), the step proceeds to S605.

In S604, since the security is configured, it is required to input thepass code. Therefore, when the mobile device 50 accesses the electronicwhiteboard 2, the pass code displayed on the display 3 of the electronicwhiteboard 2 is input. In S605, for example, a file of the contentdisplayed on the electronic whiteboard 2 is created in PDF file format.

In S606, the communication controller 201 in the electronic whiteboard 2transfers the file created in S605 to the mobile device via thecommunication network 9. In S607, the content of the file received bythe mobile device is displayed on the display unit of the mobile device.

It should be noted that operations of functional blocks that constructthe information processing apparatus in this embodiment shown in FIGS. 9and 10 can be executed by a program on a computer. That is, the CPU 101in the electronic whiteboard 2 loads a program stored in the ROM 102 andthe RAM 103, and the CPU 501 in the mobile device 50 loads a programstored in the ROM 502 and the RAM 503. Next, it is possible to implementthe embodiment by executing each step of the program sequentially.

As described above, in this embodiment, the address information of theelectronic whiteboard that exchanges files with the mobile device iswritten in the NFC tag, and the application program for operating theinformation processing apparatus is used on the mobile device. Inaddition, after launching the application program described above, thetag information of NFC is read using the mobile device.

Through the above-described operation, user registration to theelectronic whiteboard completes, using the mobile device. Furthermore,if security is configured in exchanging files between the mobile deviceand the electronic whiteboard, a pass code (authentication code) isdisplayed on the electronic whiteboard by accessing the electronicwhiteboard using the mobile device. By inputting the pass code in themobile device, it is possible to exchange files between the mobiledevice and the electronic whiteboard. Therefore, preparations such asuser registration or scan of authentication code that are conventionallyrequired are unnecessary.

In the embodiment described above, the information processing apparatuscan easily perform preparation before exchanging files with theelectronic whiteboard.

For example, even in the case when the user wants to connect to theon-premise private cloud service, preparation for connection can beeasily performed.

In the known technology, in registering a user who can use theon-premise private cloud service, it is required to register an accountidentified by a user identification (ID) and a password etc. to loginthe private cloud service preliminarily. It is required to access a webbrowser of the private cloud service and register the user to performthe registration. However, such operation is not necessary.

The present invention also encompasses a non-transitory recording mediumstoring a program that executes an information processing method. Theinformation processing method includes the steps of communicating with amemory that stores address information of the image processingapparatus, reading the address information of the image processingapparatus from the memory, and exchanging data with the image processingapparatus identified with the address information read from the memorythrough a communication network.

Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within thescope of the appended claims, the disclosure of the present inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

For example, elements and/or features of different illustrativeembodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for eachother within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.

As can be appreciated by those skilled in the computer arts, thisinvention may be implemented as convenient using a conventionalgeneral-purpose digital computer programmed according to the teachingsof the present specification. Appropriate software coding can readily beprepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the presentdisclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software arts.The present invention may also be implemented by the preparation ofapplication-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting anappropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art.

Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be implemented byone or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processing circuitryincludes a programmed processor, as a processor includes circuitry. Aprocessing circuit also includes devices such as an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), and conventional circuit componentsarranged to perform the recited functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:a first communication circuit to communicate with a memory that storesaddress information of an image processing apparatus; circuitry to readthe address information of the image processing apparatus from thememory; and a second communication circuit to exchange data with theimage processing apparatus identified with the address information readfrom the memory through a communication network, wherein the circuitryfurther determines whether or not security is configured in exchangingof data with the image processing apparatus, and when the security isconfigured, the circuitry inputs an authentication code being displayedon the image processing apparatus to enable exchange of data with theimage processing apparatus, wherein the authentication code is randomlygenerated every time an application program in the image processingapparatus executes.
 2. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the first communication circuit performs near fieldcommunication using Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID).
 3. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theaddress information is an IP address to be used for accessing the imageprocessing apparatus.
 4. An information processing system, comprising:an image processing apparatus; and a mobile device to exchange data withthe image processing apparatus, wherein the mobile device includes: afirst communication circuit to communicate with a memory that storesaddress information of an image processing apparatus; circuitry to readthe address information of the image processing apparatus from thememory; and a second communication circuit to exchange data with theimage processing apparatus identified with the address information readfrom the memory through a communication network, wherein the circuitryfurther determines whether or not security is configured in exchangingof data with the image processing apparatus, and when the security isconfigured, the circuitry inputs an authentication code being displayedon the image processing apparatus to enable exchange of data with theimage processing apparatus, and wherein the authentication code israndomly generated every time an application program in the imageprocessing apparatus executes.
 5. A method of controlling communicationwith an image processing apparatus, comprising: communicating with amemory that stores address information of the image processingapparatus; reading the address information of the image processingapparatus from the memory; and exchanging data with the image processingapparatus identified with the address information read from the memorythrough a communication network, wherein the method further includesdetermining whether or not security is configured in exchanging of datawith the image processing apparatus; and when it is determined that thesecurity is configured, inputting an authentication code being displayedon the image processing apparatus to enable exchange of data with theimage processing apparatus, wherein the authentication code is randomlygenerated every time an application program in the image processingapparatus executes.